Meet the controversial Aboriginal leader gunning for the most powerful job in Sydney – as she takes a ‘four word’ jab at Clover Moore

An Aboriginal councillor has criticised Sydney Mayor Clover Moore for destroying parts of the city, saying it is “time for renewal” and a new leader.

Yvonne Weldon, a Wiradjuri woman, was elected in 2021 as the first Indigenous councillor in the City of Sydney’s 180-year history.

The deputy leader of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council is now hoping to become the city’s first Aboriginal mayor, after announcing earlier this month that she will run for the top job. An election is due to be held in September.

Ms Weldon is no stranger to the spotlight and previously caused controversy when she called for Australia Day to be renamed ‘Survival Day’ and used an insult to British explorer Captain James Cook.

She has promised to get the city back on track if elected mayor, and has accused Ms Moore of ruining aspects of Sydney, including housing and nightlife.

Mrs Moore has been mayor since 2004, making her the longest-serving mayor since the council area was established in 1842.

“It is absolutely time for renewed leadership, renewed vision and fresh leadership. It is time for a refresh,” Ms. Weldon said.

‘It’s not about PR or legacy building or anything like that. It’s about bringing the city together, and I think it’s fragmented in so many different ways.

“The disappointing thing is that you see parts of our city just dying. It’s important to have a new leader, but you can’t do that with someone who’s been there for 20 years.

‘I’ve always been committed to community involvement and doing so in a meaningful way. I’m running for the next Mayor of Sydney. I’m running to build a better future.’

Ms Weldon said her vision for Sydney is one of inclusivity, opportunity and accessibility for all residents, regardless of their social or economic status.

She said she will work with the state government to create more affordable housing, including homes for workers and people trying to escape domestic violence.

“We have a city where people can’t afford to live,” Ms. Weldon said.

‘We don’t have enough affordable housing and we need more homes for essential workers, creatives and people fleeing domestic and family violence.

“I want parts of our city to be mixed-use. It can’t just be about the people who can afford billion-dollar or million-dollar apartments.

‘We need to look at where we can realise those mixed developments, involving people who are part of everyday life and who should be part of everyday life.’

Ms Weldon hit out at Ms Moore over the decline in Sydney’s arts and nightlife scene.

She called Oxford Street, long one of Sydney’s nightlife and shopping hotspots, “in a sorry state”.

Our nightlife is in decline, our art institutions are suffering and we are losing too many creatives and young people “People,” said Mrs. Weldon.

‘All this happened over many years, under the administration of Clover Moore.’

She added that basic services such as waste management, garbage collection and asbestos abatement had also deteriorated under Ms Moore.

Ms Weldon also wants to accelerate the city’s transition to a green economy and has proposed a ‘solar energy sharing policy’ to ensure people who cannot afford the switch can support greener alternatives.

“To truly reach net zero, everyone needs to be able to contribute. It’s important to support businesses and the people who live in our city,” she said.

‘I am going to introduce a tax refund for households and companies that install solar panels or switch to green energy.

‘If people are lucky enough to rent but can’t afford to switch to solar, then sharing solar in apartments is also an option.

“We can help others move in a greener economic direction, rather than just struggling in a non-green way.”

Ms Weldon has also promised to drop ‘Lord’ from the job title if elected, saying she wants to work ‘alongside’ Australians, not ‘rule over them’.

The councillor had previously introduced a motion to remove the word ‘Lord’ from the mayoral title, but it was defeated.

“It’s actually optional, you don’t have to have it… and to me it represents being superior to others,” Ms. Weldon said.

‘That’s not who I am. I’m really just of the people and I want to serve alongside them, not preside over them.

“I also think of the connotations around the ‘Lord’ that go back to colonial times. It’s about the people, not the position.”

Ms Weldon explained that she visited London and found parts of the city extremely inclusive, with the city’s mayor also being “just a mayor”, despite its own colonial history and the fact that it was a global business centre.

She added that her campaign for a government-funded statue of an Indigenous figure is still ongoing, despite her proposal being rejected twice by council.

Ms Weldon hoped that if elected, the council would approve the proposal to erect a statue in memory of 15-year-old Indigenous woman Patyegarang – for her role in the preservation of the Gadigal language.

“This is an opportunity to be inclusive. To have a city and history represented in an honest way,” Ms. Weldon said.

There are 25 statues honouring British colonists are scattered across Sydney’s CBD, but there is not a single statue on public land honouring a First Nations historical figure.

Ms Weldon made headlines in 2023 after turning an interview about waste disposal into an insulting comment about British explorer James Cook, calling the anniversary of Cook’s death “a special day”.

She has also previously campaigned for Australia Day to be renamed ‘Survival Day’, in recognition of the ‘atrocities’ committed against Aboriginal people.

Ms Weldon has held a variety of senior positions in the New South Wales Government, non-government organisations and Aboriginal-controlled organisations in the areas of health, social services, child protection and housing.

She was elected Chair of the Metropolitan, Local Aboriginal Land Council, Vice Chair of the NSW Australia Day Council and a Board Member of Domestic Violence NSW.

In 2022, Ms Weldon was recognised as NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her services to the Aboriginal community.

She also recently published her debut novel, Sixty-Seven Days, a story about love, family and culture.